Pre-Order The Art of Blizzard by Insight Editions

Insight Editions announced The Art of Blizzard is now available for pre-order.

Nick Carpenter (vice president of art and cinematic development); Sam Didier (senior art director); and Chris Metzen (senior vice president of story and franchise development) put together 800 artwork from the Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo universes; and offer commentary throughout the book compiling the rich story of Blizzard Entertainment since its roots.

The book will be available at the end of October. San Diego Comic Con attendees might check out a preview at Insights Edition booth # 1035.

Product Description

Over the past two decades, Blizzard Entertainment has had a tremendous impact on the world of games and global pop culture. From its humble beginnings as a three-person console-game development studio in 1991 to the creation of the blockbuster Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard has a history of crafting stunning worlds of science fiction and fantasy. The company’s distinctive gameplay and storytelling styles have captivated an international audience numbering in the tens of millions whose passion cannot be quelled.

Twenty years after Blizzard opened its doors, the company’s World of Warcraft® boasts the title of the world’s most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and the studio is widely recognized as one of the leaders in creatively driven game development.

An epic volume of art and behind-the-scenes insights, The Art of Blizzard® celebrates the studio’s genesis by examining the creative forces behind these games and showcasing their artistry through more than 700 pieces of concept art, paintings, and sketches. Commentary on the art is provided by Blizzard Entertainment’s own Nick Carpenter, Sam Didier, and Chris Metzen, who’ve each played important roles in shaping Blizzard’s game universes over the years.

Press Release

SAN RAFAEL, CA, June 26, 2012 – Immerse yourself in the creative history of one of the most influential game companies in the world. For more than two decades, Blizzard Entertainment has built a reputation as one of the leaders in creatively driven game development. The Art of Blizzard® offers an exclusive look at the ideas and imagery that define its game universes. Through insider commentary from some of the company’s top creative minds and an unprecedented collection of original artwork, readers will get an in-depth look at the creative philosophy and artistic style that have played key roles in Blizzard’s success over the years.

From its humble beginnings over twenty years ago as a three-person console-game development studio to international success with the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment has a rich history of crafting stunning worlds of science fiction and fantasy. The company’s distinctive gameplay and storytelling styles have captivated a passionate global audience numbering in the tens of millions.

This epic volume of art and behind-the-scenes insights celebrates the company’s genesis, granting readers access to the inception and development of Blizzard’s blockbusters and offering a never-before-seen look into some of Blizzard’s unpublished projects.

Through nearly 800 pieces of concept art, paintings, and sketches, The Art of Blizzard explores the creative forces behind the company’s games and showcases the artistry of the teams that make them. Commentary on the art is provided by Blizzard Entertainment’s own Nick Carpenter, Sam Didier, and Chris Metzen, who’ve each played important roles in shaping Blizzard’s game universes over the years.